On over repairing the old Benz - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #16 08-05-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

My increased flying is indeed a good portion of the reason I'm not as interested in having a car apart as I used to be.

That's a good looking aircraft, Larry......and I'll bet you own it, rather than lease it!

spdrun · #17 08-05-2013, 03:08 PM

I'm not actually convinced that the W123 is any less reliable than "modern" cars owned by friends and cow-orkers. And what it does need can generally be done by myself in less time than it takes to take it to a mechanic, drop it off, come back, pick it up, etc.

Comfort is fine, A/C would be "nice to have", but with the way this summer is going (heat for a day around Memorial Day and a weeklong-heat wave, otherwise cool and dry; sitting with an open office window no A/C right now and I'm very comfortable), I'm not convinced it's really been needed.

If I replace it, I'm probably going less comfy and less reliable -- Fiat 500 here I come. (Probably on a lease, since I don't trust the quality enough to want to own one in 5-10 years).

JB3 · #18 08-05-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

How about the rest of you? Have you reached the point of diminishing returns in spending on repairs? Are you obsessing on wanting "as new" condition in your 30 year old car? If so I suggest you think about it. The old Benz are superb cars as we all know and don't need much to be a very satisfying ride.

I fix stuff when it breaks when its related to driving, stopping, and lights. A lot of other stuff gets shelved, or sometimes fixes itself.

Recently I bought 4 new door strikers as my driver door wouldn't latch and i figured id do all at once. As soon as the box arrived, it started working fine. That was 3 months ago, parts are still in the box.

Otherwise, my 360k 240 is a pretty reliable DD. Its biggest issue is rust, and i might spend some money heading off some soon to be serious issues before they kill the car. Otherwise it doesn't require much in maintenance.

Skippy · #19 08-05-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

I fix stuff when it breaks when its related to driving, stopping, and lights. A lot of other stuff gets shelved, or sometimes fixes itself.

Recently I bought 4 new door strikers as my driver door wouldn't latch and i figured id do all at once. As soon as the box arrived, it started working fine. That was 3 months ago, parts are still in the box.

Funny how that works, isn't it. I had a leak from the oil filter housing that was starting to leave a spot on the pavement. I ordered the gaskets, intending to replace them as soon as they arrived. Gaskets arrived. Leak stopped. The gaskets are still in a box on my coffee table, and I've decided to defer that job until my next oil change in a month or two.

JB3 · #20 08-05-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Funny how that works, isn't it. I had a leak from the oil filter housing that was starting to leave a spot on the pavement. I ordered the gaskets, intending to replace them as soon as they arrived. Gaskets arrived. Leak stopped. The gaskets are still in a box on my coffee table, and I've decided to defer that job until my next oil change in a month or two.

The old MBs are the only model cars that do that consistently IMO. My van has done it once or twice, and I had an old volvo that did it once or twice, but I can pretty much rely on the mercedes to repair itself as well as a solid servicing.

dynalow · #21 08-05-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

All the bells and whistles on newer cars often cover up the basic goodness of a Mercedes. Any car these days can have most of the extra features that our newer ones do.

Those of us that drive the old cars face choices when it comes to repairs. Do we want to restore the car to as new condition or maintain it as a reliable Rat? I am not a collector. I would not have a car I could not drive every day. Although we have a 2008 E320 Bluetec that my wife loves, my choice is a W123 300CD. But ...... I am not interested in "restoring" it or even keeping it in repair using OE parts.

Right now, she is fully reliable and in excellent basic mechanical condition.
Also looks pretty good, say a 20 footer. There are still a few repairs that are deferred and there are some I have no intention of ever fixing. My list:
Deferred: Sunroof. I know what it needs, involves minor welding in the trunk; Left rear window, needs finding bad wiring, switches and motor o.k.; minor seepage from front crankshaft seal
Never fix: Power locking; heated rear windshield; minor seepage from oil filter mount.

How about the rest of you? Have you reached the point of diminishing returns in spending on repairs? Are you obsessing on wanting "as new" condition in your 30 year old car? If so I suggest you think about it. The old Benz are superb cars as we all know and don't need much to be a very satisfying ride.

I figure I'm just taking care of it for the next owner.

IMHO, it just looks to good to let slip.

When I bought it.Then 2001 in Florida:

Now 2013:

I'll sooner sell my motorcycles, especially after losing a very good friend on Friday. We rode many places together, including Harley's 100 Anniversary bash in Milwaukee 10 years ago this month. RIP Nick.

Longtime Hamilton Township resident killed on motorcycle in crash Friday morning - pressofAtlanticCity.com: Breaking News

panZZer · #22 08-05-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

I'm not actually convinced that the W123 is any less reliable than "modern" cars owned by friends and cow-orkers. And what it does need can generally be done by myself in less time than it takes to take it to a mechanic, drop it off, come back, pick it up, etc.

Comfort is fine, A/C would be "nice to have", but with the way this summer is going (heat for a day around Memorial Day and a weeklong-heat wave, otherwise cool and dry; sitting with an open office window no A/C right now and I'm very comfortable), I'm not convinced it's really been needed.

If I replace it, I'm probably going less comfy and less reliable -- Fiat 500 here I come. (Probably on a lease, since I don't trust the quality enough to want to own one in 5-10 years).

I gotta disagree, they always need a $250.00 tool to fix the damn car --and you only need it once, unless you are a serial old benz buyer sticking with the same w whatever, you said you have had umpteen so--(oops i mistook you with jb3) -buying the special tools might be worth it. I'de rather play with american stuff that dosent eat you up in tools. This is the main thing people dont consider before going into the old benz buying. coil spring compressors, chain crimpers, etc etc etc etc etc etc.

aklim · #23 08-05-2013, 06:25 PM

I'm more finicky. If I buy a car, I expect it to be 100% functional or I deduct what it takes to get you there. So if the car is worth $20000 and it doesn't have functioning AC, for instance, I check with the dealership and if they say $5000 to get it working right, I will only pay you $15000. Take it or I walk.

That said, if the car is worth $20000 and the repairs on the average cost me more than say a newer car payment, I ditch the POS and get a newer one. It's all down to the math

aklim · #24 08-05-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

It's so awesome having a modern car.

Oh, hell yes. I'm not nostalgic about old cars so I really don't care for them. If money was no object AND I could justify it, I'd have sold each and every one of my vehicles for a newer one. But alas, unlike the govt, I can't simply print money.

spdrun · #25 08-05-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I'm more finicky. If I buy a car, I expect it to be 100% functional or I deduct what it takes to get you there. So if the car is worth $20000 and it doesn't have functioning AC, for instance, I check with the dealership and if they say $5000 to get it working right, I will only pay you $15000. Take it or I walk.

Sure I deduct it -- it doesn't mean I'll fix it unless I need it -- I'd rather use it as a negotiating point and pocket the doubt. Same as I wouldn't pay to have a third nipple reattached if it somehow got cut off (not to imply that I have a supernumerary mammary appendage, of course).

aklim · #26 08-05-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

Sure I deduct it -- it doesn't mean I'll fix it unless I need it -- I'd rather use it as a negotiating point and pocket the doubt. Same as I wouldn't pay to have a third nipple reattached if it somehow got cut off (not to imply that I have a supernumerary mammary appendage, of course).

Depends. Would you be breastfeeding with that 3rd nipple? If so, it would be having one more nipple in the rotation. Some women get turned on when they have their nipples played with as do men. So if that turns you on (not to say whether it does or does not), I would think you'd get it attached.

So far, I can't think of one of the gadgets my car has that I haven't used or played with. Gadgets on my car are like boobs on a girl to me. If it's there, I want to play with it. So definitely, I want it fixed.

rocky raccoon · #27 08-06-2013, 08:27 AM

and I'm not saying that just because I started it. We are such a diverse and often strange bunch. The intent of this topic was to see how others felt about preserving the old Benz versus staying current.

I never meant to imply that I am satisfied with driving a beater (see the pix). I Just prefer the solidity and basic goodness of the 80's Mercedes. We recently took a 2500+ mile trip and chose to use the 260k miles 300CD instead of the E320. It used no oil and got an average of 28.9mpg over ten fill-ups with ac all the way and cruise control whenever possible. Suspension and handling was rock solid and my $120 Garmin showed the way much easier than the E320's high dollar built-in nav system. It was a great driving experience whereas in the E320, I may have been more fascinated with messing with gadgets. I can't imagine driving a new S-class and letting the car do all the thinking.

Over the past two years some repair money went into the ac and the undercar rubber bits as well as other small stuff but far less than car payments and "scheduled maintenance" would have. The old car also got more attention than the much more common E320 would have.

I have no illusions about future expenses but I will drive this car until I die and right now I feel as though I will live forever.

aklim · #28 08-06-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

It was a great driving experience whereas in the E320, I may have been more fascinated with messing with gadgets. I can't imagine driving a new S-class and letting the car do all the thinking.

The old car also got more attention than the much more common E320 would have.

I have no illusions about future expenses but I will drive this car until I die and right now I feel as though I will live forever.

Besides the navigation system, what thinking does the S-class do for you?

I would have opted for the less attention E320. Kinda why I don't give people rides in my Vette. I park there, get out and go do what I do. Not interested in hanging around the parking lot and having people ask questions.

Hate to break it to you but nobody lives for forever.

Actually, I wouldn't want to. 25 more years or so is about all I want before my body fails too far for me to like it.

JB3 · #29 08-06-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I'm more finicky. If I buy a car, I expect it to be 100% functional or I deduct what it takes to get you there. So if the car is worth $20000 and it doesn't have functioning AC, for instance, I check with the dealership and if they say $5000 to get it working right, I will only pay you $15000. Take it or I walk.

That said, if the car is worth $20000 and the repairs on the average cost me more than say a newer car payment, I ditch the POS and get a newer one. It's all down to the math

you would lose it if you borrowed my 240.

20k now since I got it, and I have yet to install a working radio. (I did repair the seat though, nothing like a 360k drivers seat to teach the back some new tricks

spdrun · #30 08-06-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I would have opted for the less attention E320. Kinda why I don't give people rides in my Vette. I park there, get out and go do what I do. Not interested in hanging around the parking lot and having people ask questions.

So don't answer. You have no qualms about giving people the one-finger hello in traffic, yet you feel obligated not to pretend you're in a hurry and go wherever you're going quickly?